Dorian Gray Chapter 1 – Discussion

Summary

This video script discusses the first chapter of 'The Picture of Dorian Gray,' focusing on character dynamics and thematic elements. It explores the relationships between Basil, Lord Henry, and Dorian, highlighting Basil's infatuation with Dorian and its influence on his art. The script delves into Lord Henry's cynical views on beauty, intellect, and morality, setting the stage for his corrupting influence on Dorian. The chapter concludes with Dorian's arrival, foreshadowing the impact of Henry's philosophy on his life.

Takeaways

• 🎨 The script discusses a series of videos analyzing 'The Picture of Dorian Gray', focusing on in-depth examination of quotes and themes rather than simple summaries.
• 📖 It emphasizes the importance of understanding why events and statements in the novel are significant and how they may foreshadow later events.
• 🖼️ The video script references a specific edition of the book for page numbers, indicating that the discussion is tailored to that version.
• 🎬 While the script mentions the 2009 movie adaptation for visual aid, it cautions against using the film as a reference due to its deviations from the novel's narrative.
• 🌟 The introduction of Dorian Gray is through Basil's portrait, highlighting his extraordinary beauty and the lifelike quality of the painting, which is a testament to Basil's skill and adoration for Dorian.
• 💫 Basil's reluctance to exhibit the portrait stems from the personal connection and 'too much of himself' he has put into the artwork, contrasting the preface's idea that art should conceal the artist.
• 🗣️ Lord Henry's character is portrayed through his cynical and potentially dangerous views on beauty, intellect, and the value of aesthetics over morality.
• 🧐 Lord Henry's dialogue suggests that beauty and youth are paramount, belittling the importance of intellect and implying that good looks are more valuable than good character.
• 🤔 The script explores the theme of the artist's reflection in their work, with Basil claiming that his portrait of Dorian reveals more about himself than the subject.
• 🚫 Basil's fear of the portrait being exhibited is tied to the societal context of the time, where homosexuality was taboo, and he does not want his feelings for Dorian to be exposed.
• 💬 Lord Henry's epigrams and witty sayings reveal his preference for superficial qualities in friends and a desire for intellectual sparring with enemies, indicating a complex and somewhat contradictory character.
• 🔮 The script foreshadows the influence Lord Henry will have on Dorian, with Basil pleading for him not to 'spoil' Dorian, hinting at the darker turn the story will take.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video series as described in the script?

The main purpose of the video series is to analyze 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' page by page, focusing on important quotes and discussions around them to provide viewers with a deeper understanding of the novel's significance and foreshadowing.

Why does Basil Hallward believe he has created his best work with Dorian Gray's portrait?

Basil Hallward believes he has created his best work because of his deep adoration for Dorian Gray, which fuels his desire to paint exceptionally well and capture Dorian's extraordinary beauty.

What does Lord Henry represent in terms of the novel's themes?

Lord Henry represents the theme of aestheticism, valuing beauty and youth above all else, and often making cynical and potentially dangerous remarks about the importance of physical beauty over intellect or morality.

Why does Basil Hallward not want to exhibit Dorian Gray's portrait?

Basil Hallward does not want to exhibit the portrait because he fears it reveals too much of his personal feelings and idolatry towards Dorian, which was considered taboo due to societal views on homosexuality at the time.

What does Lord Henry imply about Basil's physical appearance compared to Dorian's?

Lord Henry implies that Basil is not as good-looking as Dorian and that there is no resemblance between them, subtly suggesting that Basil lacks the beauty that Dorian possesses.

What is the significance of Lord Henry's statement about choosing friends for their good looks?

Lord Henry's statement signifies his superficial values, prioritizing physical beauty over character or intellect when selecting friends, which reflects the novel's exploration of aestheticism and moral decay.

How does Lord Henry's character influence Dorian Gray throughout the novel?

Lord Henry's character has a profound influence on Dorian Gray, introducing him to the idea that beauty and pleasure are the ultimate goals in life, which eventually leads Dorian down a path of moral corruption.

What does Basil Hallward mean when he says that every portrait painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not the sitter?

Basil Hallward means that the emotions and feelings of the artist inevitably become a part of the artwork, revealing aspects of the artist's soul rather than just capturing the likeness of the subject.

Why is Basil concerned about Lord Henry meeting Dorian?

Basil is concerned because he recognizes Lord Henry's influence as potentially harmful and fears that Dorian, being young and easily influenced, might adopt Lord Henry's immoral views and lifestyle.

What is the foreshadowing element in the script regarding Dorian Gray's portrait?

The foreshadowing element is the statement that the world will never see Dorian Gray's portrait. This foreshadows the fact that Dorian will later hide the portrait to conceal the physical manifestations of his moral decay.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 The Artistic Admiration of Dorian Gray

The first paragraph introduces the series as a deep dive into 'The Picture of Dorian Gray', focusing on quotes and discussions to understand the novel's significance beyond mere plot summaries. It sets the scene in Basil Hallward's studio where Basil and Lord Henry discuss a portrait of Dorian, revealing Dorian's extraordinary beauty and Basil's artistic prowess. The conversation hints at themes of aestheticism, idolatry, and the artist's emotional investment in his work. Basil's reluctance to exhibit the portrait due to its personal connection is highlighted, along with Lord Henry's contrasting views on beauty and intellect.

05:01

🗣️ Lord Henry's Cynical Views on Beauty and Intellect

In the second paragraph, Lord Henry's cynical and potentially dangerous theories on beauty and intellect are explored. He belittles the importance of intellectual pursuits, suggesting that physical beauty is paramount. His comments on successful men in learned professions and his own friend- and enemy-choosing criteria reflect his vanity and argumentative nature. The paragraph also delves into Basil's defense of his art and the emotional connection he feels with Dorian, which fuels his creativity.

10:02

💭 Basil's Infatuation and Dorian's Influence on Art

The third paragraph delves into Basil's infatuation with Dorian and how it enhances his artistic expression. It discusses the idea that art is a reflection of the artist, contrary to Oscar Wilde's preface. Basil's fear of his feelings being exposed through his art is evident, as is his desire to protect Dorian from Lord Henry's influence. The paragraph also touches on Lord Henry's dismissive attitude towards family and his preference for intellectual adversaries.

15:04

🌟 The Arrival of Dorian and Basil's Protective Plea

The final paragraph of the chapter sets the stage for Dorian's arrival and Basil's plea to Lord Henry not to corrupt him. It reflects on Lord Henry's initial misconceptions about Dorian's appearance and character, based on his reputation for having a 'beautiful nature'. Basil's protective stance towards Dorian is highlighted, as is the foreshadowing of Lord Henry's eventual negative influence on the young man.

Keywords

💡Aestheticism

Aestheticism is an artistic and philosophical movement that values beauty as the highest principle. In the video, it is highlighted through Lord Henry's belief that beauty, particularly of youth, is more important than intellect or morality. This is evident when he dismisses the importance of thinking, suggesting that it leads to becoming 'horrid' and contrasts it with the importance of physical beauty, as seen in his comments on Dorian Gray's portrait.

💡Idolatry

Idolatry refers to the worship or excessive admiration of someone or something. In the context of the video, Basil's idolatry of Dorian Gray is evident in his desire to please Dorian with his painting and his reluctance to exhibit the portrait because it reveals too much of his adoration for Dorian. This is a key concept as it shows the influence Dorian has on Basil and foreshadows the potential consequences of such adoration.

💡Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing is a literary device used to hint at future events in a narrative. The video mentions this concept when discussing how certain quotes or events in the early chapters of 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' become significant later in the novel. For example, Basil's reluctance to exhibit the portrait foreshadows Dorian's eventual hiding of the portrait to conceal the effects of his moral decay.

💡Cynicism

Cynicism, as discussed in the video, is a general attitude of distrust for the motives of others, often associated with a belief that people are primarily self-serving. Lord Henry is described as cynical, particularly in his views on relationships and the value of beauty over intellect. His cynicism is also reflected in his epigrams, such as his choice of friends based on looks, acquaintances for their characters, and enemies for their intellects.

💡Influence

Influence is the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something. The video script discusses the influence Lord Henry has on Dorian Gray, which is a central theme of the novel. Basil fears that Lord Henry's cynical and potentially harmful views will influence Dorian, leading him astray from his natural innocence and good nature.

💡Intellectualism

Intellectualism is the belief in the importance of intellect and ideas over emotions or sensory experiences. In the video, Lord Henry belittles the importance of intellect by suggesting that thinking leads to becoming 'horrid' and that beauty is more valuable. This contrasts with the traditional view of intellectualism and highlights the novel's exploration of the conflict between beauty and intellect.

💡Idolization

Idolization is the act of admiring someone or something very much, often to the point of placing them on a pedestal. Basil's idolization of Dorian is evident in his painting and his desire to keep it from public view to protect his feelings. This concept is central to the video's discussion of the characters' relationships and the dynamics of power and admiration within them.

💡Moral Decay

Moral decay refers to the decline in moral standards or values. While not explicitly mentioned in the video script, the concept is central to the novel's plot, as Dorian Gray's moral decay is both a result of and reflected in the portrait that Basil paints. The video implies that Lord Henry's influence may lead to Dorian's moral decay, which is a key theme in understanding the story.

💡Self-Revelation

Self-revelation is the act of revealing one's innermost thoughts or feelings. In the video, Basil's painting of Dorian is described as a self-revelation, as it shows too much of Basil's adoration for Dorian. This concept is important as it ties into the theme of art as a reflection of the artist's soul, contrasting with Oscar Wilde's preface where art is meant to conceal the artist.

💡Naivety

Naivety is a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment, often associated with youth. Dorian Gray is described as naive in the video, which makes him susceptible to Lord Henry's influence. This concept is crucial to understanding Dorian's character development throughout the novel and his eventual moral downfall.

💡Artistic Expression

Artistic expression refers to the communication of thoughts or feelings through art forms. The video discusses how Basil's portrait of Dorian is not just a representation of Dorian but also an expression of Basil's feelings towards him. This concept is central to the video's exploration of the relationship between art, the artist, and the subject.

Highlights

Introduction of a series of discussion videos focusing on in-depth analysis of chapters rather than mere summaries.

The importance of examining quotes and discussing their significance to understand the novel's narrative better.

Use of the 2009 movie's visuals for reference, with a caution that it does not follow the novel's narrative order.

Description of the setting in Basil Hallward's studio and the introduction of characters Basil, Lord Henry, and the absent Dorian Gray.

Basil's full-length portrait of Dorian Gray, emphasizing Dorian's extraordinary beauty and Basil's skill as a painter.

Basil's emotional connection to the portrait and his reluctance to exhibit it due to the personal investment.

Lord Henry's perspective on the importance of beauty over intellect and the critique of intellectualism.

Contrasting views on art between Basil and Lord Henry, with Basil suggesting that art reveals the artist's soul.

Lord Henry's cynical remarks on the nature of successful men and the aestheticism movement's influence.

Basil's infatuation with Dorian Gray and its impact on his art, suggesting that love can inspire artistic brilliance.

Lord Henry's epigram about choosing friends for their looks, acquaintances for their character, and enemies for their intellect.

Discussion on family relations and Lord Henry's lack of affection for his relatives, revealing his character's detachment.

Basil's fear of Lord Henry's influence on Dorian Gray and the potential negative impact on their friendship.

The arrival of Dorian Gray at Basil's studio and the foreshadowing of Lord Henry's influence on Dorian's future.

Basil's plea to Lord Henry not to corrupt Dorian with his cynicism, indicating concern for Dorian's innocence.

The chapter's conclusion with the introduction of Dorian Gray and the setup for the themes of influence and corruption.

Transcripts

right these videos will be uh a series

of discussion videos where it's not

about summarizing exactly what happens

in the chapter there are plenty of

summaries out there um it's really just

looking Page by page at important quotes

um important things that have been

stated having a little discussion around

them so that hopefully by the end of

each video um you'll not only know what

happens in that chapter but have a good

understanding of why what is said is

important and also once you've read the

novel or you've read further we were

able to see that that was foreshadowing

or we know we can make a comment about

that point based on what we know that

happens later in the novel I'll be using

uh this version of the picture of Daran

gray um so the page numbers refer to

this Edition and um yeah let's get on

with it I have a picture here from the

movie um throughout the series I will

use some screenshots or pictures from

the 2009 movie please do not use that

movie as a reference point um it does

not follow um The Order Of The Narrative

of the novel itself and it jumps around

it leaves out things it adds things uh

it's not the same but just to give you a

visual um guys of find that helpful so

let's look at chapter 1 a couple of uh

things that we can first comment on from

the very first few pages so we sit in

basil hwood studio and we've got basil

and Lord Henry who's also known as just

Harry and they are in the studio talking

Dorian is not there at the moment you

look on page seven in the center of the

room clamped on an upright easel stood

the full length portrait of a young man

of extraordinary personal Beauty so

before we've met Dorian Gray we know

that he's a very good-look guy and also

that basil is doing a very good job and

he's a very good painter because he's

able to paint this portrait um that's so

lifelike of course he is painting so

well because he has the fuel and the

energy of his adoration for Dorian and

the fact that he wants to please Dorian

with this painting and he's got like a

new step in his uh or a new bounce in

his step as it were a new joy for life

um in that he's able to uh feel such a

connection with Dorian and it's fueling

his desire to paint really really well

Lord Henry says it is your best work

Basel the best thing you have ever done

you must certainly send it next year to

the grosen or the grosen and um that's

just a an art gallery in England and

basil says I know you will laugh at me

but I really can't exhibit it I have put

too much of myself into it um and we're

going to discuss that a little bit later

but in the preface um it very

interestingly says um if I can just find

it over here quickly um

um to reveal art and conceal the artist

is Art's Aim so you must just paint art

or create art and it must be observed

and appreciated for what it is and it

must not be a reflection of the artist

but now here basil is saying no the

painting actually is a reflection of the

artist and it's reflecting me and my

idolatry or the fact that I Idol Dorian

and I don't want people to to see that I

don't want people to think that about me

page eight Lord Henry says too much of

yourself in it I really can't see any

resemblance between you and this young

adonus this like Greek statue this

really model goodlook man um and you

well of course you have intellectual

expression and all that but Beauty So

within that little bit of text there we

can see two things first of all Lord

Henry is not afraid of telling basil not

very subtly that um you're not very

good-looking and that you don't look

anything like Dorian and that you know

well I don't think anybody's going to

pick up any form of you in this painting

because you are nothing like Dorian um

and then he says well you know basil you

intellectual you know you're clever and

all that now that and all that statement

is like um belittling in saying that

well intelligence is all of that kind of

stuff is not really important because

because but beauty beauty is what is

most important and now that all links

into the

aestheticism um the belief that beauty

is everything and that beauty in youth

which we'll learn about a little bit

later in Chapter 2 is far more important

apparently than having any form of high

intellect Dorian Gray um sorry Lord

Henry continues to say the moment one

sits down to think one becomes all nose

all forward or something horrid so now

other words once you start thinking or

you take something seriously or you have

a discussion or something intellectual

you become horrible and um is it because

you become not naive or that you become

um insightful into the realities of the

world and therefore you become horrid

that doesn't really make sense you know

how perfectly hideous all the successful

men in learned professions are and I

don't think we can believe everything

that Lord Henry says here Lord Henry

also says on page 8 your mysterious

young friend never thinks he is some

brainless beautiful creature So based on

Lord Henry's well fascinating yet

cynical and rather dangerous Theory um

if you are beautiful then you clearly

don't think much at all and so because

Dorian Gray is so handsome he clearly

doesn't think at all and then lastly as

I put there which is really quite Savage

Lord Henry says to Basil you know don't

flatter yourself you're not not in the

least like Dorian in other words huh you

don't look like Dorian at all you're not

good-looking like him and you think far

too much Darian obviously doesn't think

that much page 10 basil says you know

you never say a moral thing you never

say anything about that's good and you

never do a wrong thing yet I don't ever

see you actually acting badly your

cynicism is simply oppos now your

cynicism cynicism is when you have like

a distrust of the motives of others um

you believe that people are motivated by

doing something that's good for

themselves you know and he's saying that

well I don't think Lord Henry you always

actually mean what you say you certainly

don't put in practice everything that

you say um basil continues to go on and

say every portrait that is painted with

feeling which is what he has done with

this doryan gray portrait is a portrait

of the artist not of the sitter and

again that's cont ictory to what Oscar

wild says in the preface it is not he

who is revealed by the painter it is

rather the painter who on the colored

canvas reveals himself again not what

said in the preface um the reason I will

not exhibit this picture is that I'm

afraid I have shown in it the secret of

my own soul now being set at the time

you know 1900 um homosexuality was seen

as like a sin um it was like illegal and

so if anybody was going to pick up that

you know basil this painter looks like

he was in love with Dorian based on you

know the painting that he's done and uh

again Basil's idolizing idolatry of

Dorian um he thinks that he doesn't want

anybody to pick up on that or you know

put two and two together and kind of

come to that conclusion and so he says

although he hasn't stated it directly to

Lord Henry he has said you know I'm not

exhibiting this painting and Pages 11

to13 is all about basil telling Lord

Henry how he met Dorian two months ago

at lady Brandon's and you can go and

read up about that and how he was just a

struck when he saw Dorian and he just

had to meet him and all that page 14

Lord Henry says um again one of these

epigrams these witty clever little

sayings I choose my friends for their

good looks my acquaintances for their

good characters and my enemies is for

their good intellects I have not got one

who is a fool um and we think to

ourselves why would you choose your

friends for your good looks that's very

vain you know okay you do that so it

makes you look better so that you're

surrounded by good-looking people that

uh uh recognize you and accept you so

you look good but really you know should

you should you friends be friends just

because they're good-looking that

doesn't say anything about their

character but clearly to Lord Henry that

doesn't matter he's acquaintances for

their good characters okay so he wants

to surround himself with people who are

good people who have good personas and

characters um but he's not exactly going

to go out to dinner with them and my

enemies people who he likes to argue

against must have good intellects

because if you argue with somebody who

doesn't have a brain or such as not

really very intellectual doesn't really

have much to say then what kind of

argument is that they're not going to be

able to argue back so that tells us

about L Lord Henry's character that is

argumentative and and toxic and immoral

that the in the things that he says and

these epigrams and and he's hoping to to

get as good as he gives um so that's why

he has to have these enemies who don't

agree with what he says um need to be

intellectual enough then there's this

whole discussion about how he doesn't

care for his brothers and his something

about his older ones never stop dying

and the younger ones do nothing else or

you know won't die or something like

that um so there's no loyalty or love

shown there for his family he says I

can't help detesting My Relations

actually I suppose it comes from the

fact that none of us can stand other

people having the same faults as

ourselves and we say well you know is

that true or not I mean usually we can

relate to people who have the same fault

as ours because you know we can

understand what they're going through we

can under we can sympathize and

empathize but here he's saying you know

what um I I hate people who have the

same faults as me so I don't want to I

don't want to have anything to do with

them

then page

15 basil says you know I couldn't be

happy if I didn't see Dorian every day

he's absolutely necessary to me um so

clearly basil is infatuated with Dorian

and also as I said earlier Dorian is

fueling his ability to paint so well and

in Lord Henry said you know compared to

that landscape that you did the other

day this is the best thing you've ever

done which he says a little bit later

here is all my art to me now so

literally he is my art because of the

painting page 15 again basil says

there's nothing that art cannot express

um and that again goes to the preface um

the work that I have done since I met

Dorian gay is the best work of my life

and that's probably true I see things

differently I think of them differently

and you know if you think about when you

infatuated with somebody or you meet

somebody and you you know you have a

crush on them or they are interested in

you and it's the start of a new

relationship you're so alive you are so

excited and have a new tasteful life

that you suddenly perform at your best

because it really does give you a bounce

in your step page 16 basil says I see

everything in Dorian I find him in the

curves of certain lines the loveliness

and subtleties of certain colors

everywhere he goes he's just seeing

Dorian that's how special and how

meaningful the relationship is to him at

this point Dorian has never met Lord

Henry he's just friends with basil and

he sees him every day because Doran has

to stand there while Basel paints him

and so that friendship is going really

really well and means everything to

Basil page 16 as well basil says Dorian

knows nothing about it the fact that I

like him so much he shall never know

anything about it but well we'll see

about that if you've read further you'll

no but the world might guess it and I

will not bear my soul to the shallow

prying eyes my heart shall never be put

under their microscope there's too much

of myself in the thing Harry too much of

myself he's reiterating why he will

never display this this

painting basil says on page 17 the world

shall never see my Portrait of Dorian

Gray uh that's interesting choice of

words um because later on we know that

the portrait is given to Dorian um but

then uh Dorian actually hides the

painting away so the world doesn't see

it but not for the reason that basil

doesn't want it to be shown um but the

world won't see it later on because

Dorian will put it away somewhere if

you've read further you'll know but he's

going to put it and hide it in the upper

room and uh so that no prying eyes can

look at his soul basil says as long as I

live the personality of Dorian Gray will

dominate me and that is is pretty much

the truth right there for as long as I

live anyway you can't feel what I feel

you change too often um basil has

insight into Lord Henry's character he

understands what type of person Lord

Henry is that he says one thing and

means the opposite or he'll say this

today and tomorrow he'll contradict

himself you change too often and so

basil is not caught up in the lies and

these delightful as they're called

theories of Lord Henry and like Dorian

willby and most of Lord Henry's

friends and then near the end of the

chapter page 19 Lord Henry remembers

where he's heard the storian name before

and he was like oh yes it was at my Aunt

lady Agatha's now he knows but when he

thinks about it he says well you know

when I first heard about Dorian Gray um

I thought this she said that he was very

Earnest and he had a beautiful nature

beautiful nature in other words nice

person I had once pictured to myself a

creature diction use of diction here

with spectacles and lank hair horribly

freckled and tramping about on huge feet

so according to Lord Henry and the

theory that we discussed in the previous

few

slides if somebody is a good person has

a good character friendly helpful kind

well-mannered Etc they're probably not

good-look

and and that's obviously very very wrong

but Lord Henry is saying well that's the

type of person that I pictured as soon

as she said beautiful nature basil says

I don't want you to meet him and uh

Basil's right for saying that because

basil knows that Lord Henry is a

terrible influence um and a lot of what

he says is immoral and he knows also

that if Lord

Henry meets Dorian Dorian might be more

interested stood in Lord Henry and then

the friendship between basil and Dorian

will be weakened which it is later um

and that will upset basil but Basil's

also looking out for Dorian he knows

that Dorian is going to be easily

influenced because he's naive and young

and he really doesn't want Dorian to

suffer under Lord Henry's synical

epigrams then at the end of the chapter

chapter um the butler announces that

Dorian gry has in fact arrived at basil

studio and basil says to Lord Henry

almost like as a plea don't spoil him

don't try to influence him your

influence would be bad and that is true

unfortunately Lord Henry does spoil

Dorian he does influence him and his

influence is most certainly bad as we'll

see so once I've read further in the

novel I can see that well that line is

in fact pure foreshadowing and that ends

chapter one of the picture of Doran Gray